Take Care When Spring Cleaning Rodent-Infested Buildings

Canadian health officials are reminding people to take precautions against hantavirus when cleaning enclosed buildings that likely housed rodents over the winter, such as garages, sheds, cottages, and trailers, Global News reports.

Hantavirus is a disease caused by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine, and saliva of infected deer mice. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Some people can develop a fatal lung illness.

Officials offer the following tips for cleaning rodent-infested buildings:

• Ventilate the building for at least 30 minutes by opening doors and windows
• Use wet mopping methods and wear rubber or plastic gloves
• Wear goggles and a mask when cleaning a confined space contaminated with mouse droppings
• Use a bleach disinfectant to dampen areas contaminated with droppings and remove them with a damp cloth or mop
• Steam clean, spray, or shampoo upholstered furniture with a detergent disinfectant or use bleach and water
• Wash potentially contaminated clothes and bedding with hot water
• Avoid dry cleaning methods, like vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, or air hosing.